Brandon Said:

has anyone tried medical billing/coding home course by: Us Career institute?

We Answered:

After taking this course you will NOT be able qualify to take the AAPC certification for coding. You need to code under a certified coder in an office setting for 2 years and have a letter of reference that is verified to even take the exam.

You will NOT be able to do medical billing from home, in your spare time, and enjoy a six figure income.

You WILL have basic knowledge of the medical billing occupation. You SHOULD be able to get an interview in a doctors office/hospital and start to learn the real side of billing.

Most likely you will be hired in the financial department doing basic data entry. Other more experienced people will do the actual billing and coding. You can stick it out and move up based on you skill.
Too many doctors and hospitals have been *ahem* screwed , by these at home courses. They have hired people that can't do the work unless they have the OPEN BOOK in front of them to get an A. They can copy the form and fill out a UB92 but have no idea what goes where when given actual codes and records. Appeals are another area. You word an appeal wrong and lose all future rights for review and LOSE on that claim! One digit off and you end up billing John Doe for a hysterectomy instead of a tonsillectomy.
Take the course if you want to feel like you are learning something and have money to spare, just don't expect to be a 'biller' when you get your open book A.

**No offense to you, I just hate that they are still promoting these classes and pretending that billing is a 'hobby'.**

Arthur Said:

Is the medical coding and billing course hard?

We Answered:

Medical billing involves everything from getting authorization for patient visits, collecting co-payments, submitting claims and reports to the insurance companies, posting payments, writing off discounts and billing patients for unpaid amounts. One can even be involved in following up on unpaid claims and appealing denied claims. Usually the smaller the office the greater the variety of duties. Overall the outlook is good.

All insurance payments depend upon coding the procedure (what was done) and the diagnosis (why it was done). In simple cases the doctor provides the code for you and so the information simply needs to be entered into the computer and the claim generated and submitted even on paper or electronically. General medical insurance billing and coding can get intricate as the laws are constantly changing but is comparatively easy.

Now the most challenging is coding from patient records. It involves the coder reading the patient's chart and abstracting (taking out) all the diagnoses and procedures performed. It can get very intricate and difficult. I have taught medical billing and coding for several years. Virtually all my students could grasp the basics of billing and coding. However, only a very few had the aptitude for coding. Not to say that the other students couldn't do advanced coding, but they had to work harder for it.

Right now the big money is in hospital billing and coding rather than doctor office billing and coding. Hospital coding has been exploding in recent years and I believe it will continue as the baby boomers continue to reach 65. I can't be completely sure of this in case the health bill that was passed really eventually goes into effect.

If you go into billing know that you can eventually have your own business. However, I highly recommend that you work for someone else first, learn from them and make your mistakes on their dime before you venture out on your own.

Should you decide to go into coding as a profession get certified as soon as you can. Be very careful because you can be held liable for errors as some can appear to be insurance fraud.

Roy Said:

I took a course in medical billing coding and insurance and now i would like to take my coding exam howtostart?

We Answered:

You have to contact the NHA they are located in New York they will send you the test prep and then they will give you the time and place to take the test. Be advised it may be several months to take the test and you will more than likely have to go to another city in your area to take it...

I know this because I am awaiting my test prep kit myself..

The number to the NHA is 1 (800) 499 -9092 ext 241

From what my Instructor said the tests are very easy and so far she hasn't heard of anyone NOT passing them

Good Luck..

Dorothy Said:

i plan on taking medical billing coding course this winter is that a good profession i want to work at home?

We Answered:

Coding is a great profession. I absolutely love it. But if you are looking for an easy job to do at home, this is not the job for you.

Coding (despite advertising) is actually a very difficult job, it is very time consuming looking up codes and reading medical records, and it doesn't come easy for everyone and it is only going to become harder with the implementation of ICD 10 in 2013.

Most of the schools mislead prospective students about at home coding possibilities. Yes, you can work from home, but most remote (home) employers require coders to have 3-5 years experience and to credentialed. It is not something you can do right out of school.

If you are seriously interested in coding, and not just working from home, it is a great career and I highly recommend it. You can always work in an office for a couple of years until you get more experience and then look for a remote job.

Good Luck

Charlene Said:

Simple question about Penn Fosters Medical Billing & Coding Course..?

We Answered:

Not I.

Ronald Said:

Anybody know who would be willing to hire a recent student who has completed Medical Billing & Coding course?

We Answered:

AHIMA.com- american health information management association is a great place to start.